Rubrics and Exemplars: Grade 8 Focus Definition: To select one specific moment or idea and to develop just this moment or idea in your writing. Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND almost all sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND most sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND some sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND almost none of the sentences refer to the same Use of Evidence Definition: Selecting and describing quoted or paraphrased details from a text to develop and support an idea. Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost all of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND student describes what he or she notices in most of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND student describes what he or she notices in some of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost none of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes.
Use of Focus score of 1 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND almost all sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND most sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND some sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND almost none of the sentences refer to the same Word count: 105 I can tell that Franklin was trying to make a more likable character because he was trying to sound like a woman in his stories. He wrote a letter to the author of the New-England Courant to tell their readers, that he intends to present them stories to entertain them. He was discribing how the people are unwilling either to commend or dispraise what they read. People don t care what they read or who the author is. Like if the author is rich, poor, old, young, a scholar, or a leather apron man. Ben grew up with a minister after his parents went to Boston. - Victoria, Grade 8 Writes 105 words and is eligible for a score of 3, 2, or 1 in Focus. Receives a score of 1 because almost none of the sentences refer to the same moment or idea. Introduces her idea about Ben Franklin s character being likable because she is a woman, but does not expand on or develop this idea. Adds sentences that do not refer to her idea about the character being likable because she is a woman, including references to readers not caring about the author and biographical information about Franklin himself.
Use of Focus score of 2 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND almost all sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND most sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND some sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND almost none of the sentences refer to the same Word count: 97 I know Franklin was trying to make a likeable character because he tells us about his past experiences. He says that my entrance into this troublesome world was attended with the death of my father... (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 5). He says this so the readers will have some sympathy for Silence and like his character more. When the readers hear this it will almost play on their emotions and they will be more compelled to read. This will also make the readers like the character more. This is how we know that Franklin was trying to create a likkeable character. -Hector, Grade 8 Writes 97 words and is eligible for a score of 2 or 1 in Focus. Receives a score of 2 because all the sentences he writes refer to his idea about Franklin creating a likable character by writing about Dogood s past experiences so readers will sympathize with her. Clearly states his idea. Includes one direct quote that supports his idea. Writes additional sentences that support his idea.
Use of Focus score of 3 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND almost all sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND most sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND some sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND almost none of the sentences refer to the same Word count: 142 We know Franklin was trying to make a likeable character because of the humor he put into his work. Franklin says in the meantime desiring your readers to exercise their patience, and bear with my humors now and then... (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 9). He is making this statment implying that he is trying to entertain by being humorous. Franklin also tells a kind of funny story that makes readers feel bad for him. My entrance into this troublesome world was attended with the death of my father, a misfortune... (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 5). This is funny and entertaining because it s unexpected for the dad to die right when he was born but it also makes the readers feel bad for him. When the readers feel bad for him it makes them want to keep reading. Franklin was trying to create a likeable character by using humor, intelligence, and life stories. - Cecilia, Grade 8 Writes 142 words and is eligible for a score of 4, 3, 2 or 1 in Focus. Receives a score of 3 because she clearly states her idea about Franklin s character being likable, and most sentences elaborate on her idea. Clearly states her idea. Includes two direct quotes that support her idea. Writes additional sentences that support her idea.
Use of Focus score of 4 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND almost all sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND most sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND some sentences refer to the same Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND almost none of the sentences refer to the same Word count: 224 Franklin made Dogood a likable character by allowing her readers to feel sympathetic toward her in her writing. While she says My entrance into this troublesome world was attended with the death of my father, a misfortune, which though I was not then capable of knowing, I shall never be able to forget (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 5) she makes the mood of her letter sorrow. This allows me to be able to tell Franklin is trying to create a likable character because if the readers feel bad for her they might just listen to what she has to say. Also when she states...that I might no longer be a charge to my indigent mother, who was put to hard shifts for a living (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 6) that makes the reader feel that she has had a rough life and her mom has to work extra hard to make a living. She explains through her letter that she had to work hard and readers like a character who works for what they deserve, not who have it handed to them. So through Franklins words of Dogood s life the reader can tell he was trying to create a likable character for the readers to relate with. -James, Grade 8 Writes 224 words and is eligible to receive a score of 4, 3, 2, or 1 in Focus. Receives a score of 4 because every sentence refers back to and helps to develop his idea about Franklin s character being likable. Clearly states his idea. Includes two direct quotes that support his idea. Writes additional sentences that support his idea.
Use of Evidence score of 1 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost all of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND student describes what he or she notices in most of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND student describes what he or she notices in some of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost none of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Word count: 60 You can tell he was trying to make a likable character because, You can tell he was trying to relate too people. Talking about problems from her childhood like when her dad died, and stuff that bothers everyone. I think he was trying to Make points so people would stand up and take a stand in what they believe in. -Annabelle, Grade 8 Writes 60 words and is eligible for a score of 2 or 1 in Use of Evidence. Receives a score of 1 because she does not describe what she notices in the piece of textual evidence she includes. Only includes a vague paraphrase from the text and does not describe what she notices about that paraphrase.
Use of Evidence score of 2 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost all of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND student describes what he or she notices in most of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND student describes what he or she notices in some of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost none of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Word count: 87 Franklin wanted people to like the character Silence Dogood. Silence Dogood told about her life from when she was born and in the text it says Thus, was the first day which I saw, the last that was seen by my father... ( Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 5). I think losing her father like this means her life is very sad and would make people feel sorry for her and people would start thinking she is a nice character. This is one reason why people would think Silence Dogood was a likable character. -Jerome, Grade 8 Writes 87 words and is eligible for a score of 2 or 1 in Use of Evidence. Receives a score of 2 because he describes what he notices in the direct quote he includes. Includes a direct quote, then describes what he notices in this quote. Misses the opportunity to excel because he only writes 87 words and does not describe the included quote further or include other evidence.
Use of Evidence score of 3 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost all of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND student describes what he or she notices in most of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND student describes what he or she notices in some of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost none of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Word count: 130 Franklin was trying to make a likable character by giving her a sad backstory and likable personality so that people would sympathize with her and like her. The story was, My entrance into this troublesome world was attended with the death of my father... (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 5). The fact that Silence s father died when she was born means that her life was very sad, and this will make the readers feel bad for her and listen to her. He made Silence to be polite by saying, I will not abuse your patience with a tedious recital of all the frivolous accidents of my life... (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 8). This means that Silence didn t want the reader to take too much time reading about her and more time reading the important things she had to say. - Trina, Grade 8 Writes 130 words and is eligible for a score of 3, 2, or 1 in Use of Evidence. Receives a score of 3 because she skillfully draws the reader s attention to particular details in both of the pieces of evidence she includes. Includes a direct quote, then describes what she notices in this quote. Adds another direct quote, then describes what she notices in this quote. Misses the opportunity to excel in Use of Evidence because she does not write more or more thoroughly explain what she notices in the quotes she includes.
Use of Evidence score of 4 Student writes a minimum of 140 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost all of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 105 words AND student describes what he or she notices in most of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 50 words AND student describes what he or she notices in some of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Student writes a minimum of 25 words AND student describes what he or she notices in almost none of the pieces of textual evidence that he or she includes. Word count: 205 Franklin created a likable character, Silence Dogood. I can tell by how in the letter Franklin seems to create a sob story almost, as shown in the following, Thus, was the first day which I saw, the last that was seen by my father ; and thus was my disconsolate mother at once made both a parent and a widow. (Franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 5). The story of how her father got thrown overboard by a rather large wave and how that day her mother became both a mom and a widow, pulls at the audiences heartstrings. Franklin wants the readers to be engrossed with feeling of sympathy for Silence Dogood, and he also achieves this as shown in, I will not abuse your patience with a tedious recital of all the frivolous accidents of my life, that happened from this time until I arrived to years of discretion...(franklin, Silence Dogood s First Letter to the New-England Courant 8). When you re reading the letter, it makes you feel that Silence is a very innocent woman, who has a kind front despite her many years of misery. Someone who has survived that much, makes them honorable in others eyes. The same thoughts must have gone through Franklin s head as well, because he used these details to create a likable character. - Vincent, Grade 8 Writes 205 words and is eligible for a score of 4, 3, 2, or 1 in Use of Evidence. Receives a score of 4 because he describes what he notices in every piece of included evidence, making insightful inferences based on the included evidence. Includes a direct quote, then describes what he notices in this quote. Adds another direct quote, then describes what he notices in this quote.